By Abubakar Baba Ahmad
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has denied allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
This followed allegations by a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Timi Frank, who claimed that the government was planning to assassinate the party’s presidential candidate.
In a statement, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, described the allegation as grave and urged security agencies to invite Mr Frank to substantiate his claims, while calling on him to provide any information that could aid investigations.
The council dismissed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku Abubakar had been withdrawn, insisting that the former Vice President enjoyed two levels of state-funded security protection from the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
It says President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement which says President Tinubu recognised opposition politics as an essential part of the country’s democracy, recalling his role in defeating the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.
The council accused Mr Frank of making allegations capable of heightening political tension, urging political parties, candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and ensure that public statements were factual and responsible.